Control means for solenoid actuating device



y 5, 1956 c. M. GARNER 2,745,630

CONTROL MEANS FOR SOLENOID ACTUATING DEVICE Original Filed June 19, 19462 Sheets-Sheet l May 15, 1956 c. M. GARNER 2,745,630

CONTROL MEANS FOR SOLENOID ACTUATING DEVICE Original Filed June 19, 19462 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 76 77 55 80 7a 90 92 72 a? 47 9a 120 #3 54 7 74 /5/A/ l [NTO E. CZHUDE M. Gem/5g 5/ WMQGWL 2M2 Arro 2M5 5 United StatesPatent CONTROL MEANS FOR SOLEYQID- ACTUATENG DEVICE Claude M. Garner,Clayton, lilo, assignor to Missouri Automatic Control. Corporation, St.Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Original application June 19,194.6, Serial No. 677,339. and this application March 15, 1952, SerialNo.

8 Claims. (Cl. 251-130) The present invention relates to a solenoidactuating device. More particularly, it relates to such a device used toactuate a. moving member such as. a valve to control gas. flow and thelike in response to control device suchas arhennostat and means foroperating the moving member independently of the solenoid actuatingdevice in the event of a power failure.

Broadly, it is an object of this invention to provide means foractuating a member, such as a valve, by a thermostatically operatedsolenoid whereby a manual control can be used in the event of powerfailure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide automatic means insuch a manually operated control device for rendering it inoperativewhen power is reestablishedto the thermostatically operated solenoidmember.

Other objects will appear in the description to follow.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 677,830, filedJune 19, 1946, issued June 3, 1952 as United States Patent No.2,598,902.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of the actuating device;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation taken from the right end of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on the line 44of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1 taken from theside opposite that of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view of the thermostat switch in closed position, thisswitch being shown in open position in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the manual control mechanism shown in Pig.5;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of this part of Fig. 5 taken approximately onthe line 8-8 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view of the manual control crank inthis mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, in Fig. 2 the solenoid actuating deviceand the master control is shown as being mounted adjacent to a valve 38on a base 18 of the valve (which is shown only in fragmentary form) soas to operate a moving valve member 98 in the valve 30. It is to beunderstood that this invention is shown in connection with a valve onlyfor purposes of illustration and that it can be used in connection withother operating members as will appear hereinafter.

The valve is operated by a magnetic coil that is adapted to be connectedfor energiz'ation when a room thermostat or the like closes. This partof the mechanism includes a supporting bracket or base 71 which is inthe general shape of an inverted U, with horizontally projecting earsthat are screwed to upstanding bosses 300 on the member 18.

ice

The bracket 71 receives on its upper surface a U- shaped coil support72. A center post 73 is permanently fixed to the support 72, and aboutthis post, there is provided a magnetic coil 74.

The inner vertical arm of the bracket 72 has two upstanding ears 75 and76 between which is fitted a rocking armature 77 having a tongue portion78 that projects outwardly through the two upstanding ears. This tongueextends laterally, as shown in Fig. l, to the back sides of the twoprongs 75 and 76. Thus, the armature is restricted against movement tothe leftward in Figs. 1 and 4. It is restricted against movement to theright by presence of a plate 86 that is held by screws 81 to its top.This plate is provided with two downturned hooks 82 that are locatedadjacent the lefthand faces of the two prongs 75 and 76. They,therefore, prevent the armature plate 77 from slipping to the right inFigs. 1 and 4.

The same inner upstanding arm of the bracket 72 receives a fitting 83that has an outstanding end 84 at its lower part and an overhanginghook-like portion 85 at its top. This hook-like portion passes throughan opening in the armature 77, and by overlying the armature, limits theupward displacement of the right end thereof, as shown in Fig. 4.

A coil spring 37 is stretched between the projecting end 78 of thearmature member and the lower projection 84 on the fitting 83. It,therefore, urges the armature member 77 to pivot in a clockwisedirection, as appears in Pig. 4, the rocking takingplace about the edgeof the upstanding arm of the bracket 72 between the two prongs 75 and76.

When the coil 74 is energized, it is adapted to attract the armature 77and rock its outer end downwardly, stretching the spring 87. The outeror forward end of the armature carries an adjustable abutment screw 90,for a purpose to appear.

An actuating blade 92 is disposed below the armature 77; It ispreferably of spring-like material formed from a plate with a largeopening 93 therein. This plate has backwardly projecting ears 94 and 95that are set back to rest on the projecting portions of the plate 83that extend, as shown in Fig. 3, laterally beyond the limits of theupstanding arm of the bracket 72.

The arm 92 has a forward extension 97 thereon that is preferably ofisetdownwardly, as shown. This arm engages a push rod 98' that extends downthrough the valve 39 so as to actuate reciprocally a valve member (notshown). A suitable, flexible diaphragm 99 is provided to seal off thetop of the cylindrical valve member 39, and yet to permit reciprocaloperation of the push rod 3.

Below the bracket 71, a switch mechanism is fastened. This switchconsists of two spring blades and 161 that are secured to the bottom ofthe supporting bracket '71 by suitable screws 192, with theinterposition of the necessary insulation. As shown in full lines inFig. 4, the two switch blades 1% and 101 normally rest wit theircontacts 193 and 1%, respectively, disengaged.

This switch is part of a manual operating mecham'srn which is designedto actuate the valve operating push member 98 and to close the switchcontacts at the same time. This manual mechanism includes an upstandingsupport standard 116 that is riveted to the outer vertical side of theinverted U-shaped support 71. 119 slidably supports a manual operatingstrip 111, which strip has a vertical slot 112 therein that receives aheaded rivet 113, which rivet is fixed into the standard 110. Thestandard likewise has a projecting nib 114 that fits The standard withinthe slot so as to prevent rotation of the manual strip 111 and toconfine it to vertical movements.

In addition to the slot 112, the strip 111 has a slot 115 at its bottomthat extends transversely thereof. On its side edge, the strip 111 has aprojecting shoulder 116 that is disposed so as to come under an arm 117that projects at an angle from the rocking armature 77.

On the outer leg of the coil supporting bracket 72, there is a flangedplate 120. The flanges confine this plate to vertical movement, and itis further confined by a headed rivet 121 secured to the coil support 72and operating in a vertical slot 122 in the flanged plate 120.

This plate, at its upper end, has a curved neck portion 123 that passesupwardly through an opening in the actuating blade 92 and is hooked overthe top thereof.

The lower end of the plate has two depending prongs 125. These prongsreceive a notched piece of insulation 126 that overlies the upper switchblade 101. The notches and their engagement with the prongs prevent thisstrip of insulating material from slipping out of position. It isfurther confined by an inwardly turned prong 130 that overlies it. Thisprong 130 extends above the switch blades and between the vertical sidesof the bracket 71. it also underlies a semi-circular crank 132. Thiscrank is supported in the side walls of the supporting bracket '71 andpasses through one of the side walls, to provide a curved crank arm 133.Between the two side walls of the bracket 71, the crank 132 has anoffset semicircular portion 135. Vlhen the crank is turned, this offsetportion may move from its position in Fig. 4 to its position in Fig. 6.In Fig. 4, it will be seen that it presents its flat part tothe inwardlyturned tongue 130, but, when it is turned to slightly beyond 90", itdepresses the prong 130 and closes the two switch contacts.

' This crank is actuated by the engagement of its semi circular arm 133in the slot 115 of the manual operating strip 111.

It will be seen that, when the manual operating strip is pulledupwardly, it turns the crank arm slightly over 90. In so doing, itcloses the switch contacts and also causes the tongue 13d of the plate120 to move downwardly. This latter movement causes the hooked upperpart 123 on the plate 120 to engage the operating plate 92 and bring thesame downwardly to operate the valve actuating push rod 98.

Fig. 10 shows the manner of electrically connecting this part of themechanism. A source of power is shown in the form of a secondary winding157, connected to two terminals 138 and 139. A wire 140 connects theterminal 133 with the coil 74. A wire 141 connects the other end of thecoil 74 with a terminal 142. This terminal is connected by a wire 143'to the room thermostat, generally indicated at 144. The other side ofthe room thermostat is connected by a line 145 with a terminal 146, thatis connected by a line 147 with the terminal 139.

The switch contacts 103 and 104 are connected across the terminals 139and 142. The switch contact 103 is connected by a line 150 with theterminal 139, and the switch contact 1% is connected by a line 151 withthe terminal 142.

Operation When the thermostat 144 closes, it brings power to the coil74, as is evident in Fig. 10, the circuit being completed from the coil137 through the terminal 138, the line 140, the coil 7%, the line 141,the terminal 142, the line M3, the thermostat 144, the line 145, theterminal 146, the line 147, and the terminal 139 back to the secondarycoil 137. vihen the coil 74 is thus energized, it draws down the rockingarmature 77 until the same engages the top of the post 73. This downwardmovement of the armature 77 causes the screw 90 to engage the springactuating blade 2, forcing the same down. it rocks by the engagement ofits inner end in the notches on the sides of the upstanding end of thebracket 72, so that its outer end 97 depresses the valve operating end98.

This action may normally be opposed by a conventional biasing springoperating against valve operating pin 98. Also, the rocking of thearmature 77 downwardly causes extension of the coil spring 87, whichtends to return the armature when the magnetic force is relieved.

The present mechanism provides means to open the valve manually in caseof power failure, coupled with mechanism to return the valveautomatically to control by power upon restoration thereof. Suchoperation is here attained by the manual blade 111, which may be lifted.

Lifting of the blade 111 rocks the curved end 133 of the crank 132, andthe semi-cylindrical portion 135, and thereby depresses the tongue 130of the end plate 120. The contact of the tongue 130 with the insulatingsheet 126 and the contact of the latter with the switch blade 1&1 causesthe upper switch blade to move downwardly to bring the contact 103against the contact 104, as shown in Fig. 6, thus closing the switch.Likewise, the downward movement of the end plate 120 causes its upperhook 123 to engage the operating member 92 and to depress the same,drawing it away from the rocking armature 77, and causing the end 97 ofthe member 92 to depress the pin 98 to operate the valve. When thismovement of the blade 111 is completed, the crank arm 135 will havemoved slightly beyond 90, so that the upward force of the spring-likeswitch blades will merely tend to drive the crank arm further, ratherthan to reverse it. Such further movement is prohibited by theengagement of the crank parts. Hence, the parts will stay in thepositions aforesaid, by this over-center lock arrangement.

As the blade 111 is moved to its upper position, its shoulder 116 restsimmediately under the projection 117 on the armature 77 when the latteris in its upper released position to which it is drawn by the spring 87.

Under the foregoing conditions, the valve will be in the same positionit will occupy if power were on and the room thermostat were closed. Themoment that power is restored, the coil 74 will be energized through thecontacts 103 and 102, which shunt the room thermostat. The energizationof the coil 74 will pull the armature 77 down, which will, by actionagainst the shoulder 116 of the blade 111, depress the blade and causeit to return the crank arm over center, until the spring action of theblade cooperates with gravity and the downward pull of the armature 77to complete the release of the manual means and the opening of theswitch. Thereupon the further operation will return to control the roomthermostat.

Although the solenoid actuating device has been described in connectionwith a valve, it is to be understood that this is for purposes ofillustration only and in actual practice the device can be used tooperate any type of reciprocable member as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A valve operating means including a coil, an armature wholly situatedcxteriorly of the coil and movable upon energization of the coil, anoperating member adapted to be removed by the armature, manual means tooperate said operating member including a first member movable from areleased position into position to be engaged by the armature andreturned to released position upon energization of the coil, a secondmember engageable with the operating member to move the same, meansconnecting the two members so that when the first member is moved to itsposition to be engaged by the armature the second member will be movedto actuate the operating member, and means releasably holding the manualmeans in said position, the coil upon energization being adapted toactuate the armature to engage the first member, return the same to itsreleased position, and to release the second member.

2. A valve operating means including a coil, an armature wholly situatedexteriorly of the coil and movable upon energization of the coil, anoperating member adapted to be moved by the armature, manual means tooperate the operating member including a first member movable from areleased position into position .to be engaged by the armature andreturned to released position upon energization thereof, a second memberengageable with the operating member to move the same, means connectingthe two members so that. when the first member is moved to its positionto be engaged by the armature the second member will be moved to actuatethe operating member, including a rockable member connected to the firstand second members and pivoted between them, so that when the firstmember moves in one direction the second member will be moved in theother, means releasably to hold the manual means in said position, thecoil upon energization being adapted to actuate the armature to engagethe first member, return the same to its released position, and torelease the second member.

3. A valve operating means including a coil, an armature wholly situatedexteriorly of the coil and movable upon energization of the coil, anoperating member adapted to be moved by the armature, manual means tooperate the operating member including a first member movable from areleased position into position to be engaged by the armature andreturned to released position upon energization thereof, a second memberengageable with the operating member to move the same and operate thevalve, means connecting the two members so that when the first member ismoved to its position to be engaged by the armature the second memberwill be moved to actuate the operating member, including a crank memberhaving a crank arm pivotally connected with the first member, and acrank portion engageable with the second member, so that movement of thefirst member rocks the crank and causes it to move the second member,means releasably to hold the manual means in said position, the coilupon energization being adapted to actuate the armature to engage thefirst member, return the same to its released position, and to releasethe second member.

4. A valve operating means including a support, a coil,

thereon, an armature therefor wholly situated exteriorly of the coil androckable on the support, operating means including a member displaceableby the armature upon energization of the coil, manual means foractuating the operating means to the same extent as said armature,including a handle member movable on the support from a releasedposition to a position engageable by the armature when the same is movedby the coil, said handle members being adapted to be returned toreleased position by the energization of said coil, a second membermovably mounted on the support and having a portion engageable with theoperating member to displace the same, a crank pivotally mounted on thesupport, the crank having an arm engageable with the handle member, tocause rocking of the crank when the handle member is moved manually fromreleased position, the crank having a crank portion engageable with thesecond member to displace it and move the operating member as the handlemember is moved, and means releasably to hold the manual means in theposition to which it is manually moved.

5, A valve operating means including a support, a coil thereon, anarmature therefor Wholly situated exteriorly of the coil and rockable onthe support, operating means including a member displaceable by thearmature upon energization of the coil, manual means for actuating theoperating means to the same extent as said armature, including a handlemember movable on the support from a released position to a positionengageable by the armature when the same is moved by the coil, saidhandle member being adapted to be returned to released position by theenergization of said coil, a second member movably mounted on thesupport and having a portion engageable with the operating member todisplace the same, a crank pivotally mounted on the support, the crankhaving an arm engageable with the handle member, to cause rocking of thecrank from an initial position when the handle member is moved manuallyfrom released position, the crank having a crank portion engageable withthe second member to displace it and move the operating member as thehandle member is moved, and means releasably to hold the manual means inthe position to which it is manually moved, said last-named meansincluding a resilient means acting against the crank to urge it towardinitial position, the crank being movable slightly over center withrespect to the force of said resilient means.

6. A valve operating means including a support, a coil thereon, anarmature therefor wholly situated exteriorly of the coil and rockable onthe support, operating means including a member displaceable by thearmature upon energization of the coil, manual means for actuating theoperating means to the same extent as said armature, including a handlemember movable on the support from a released position to a positionengageable by the armature when the same is moved by the coil, saidhandle member being adapted to be returned to released position by theenergization of said coil, a second member movably mounted on thesupport and having a portion engageable with the operating member todisplace the same, a crank pivotally mounted on the support, the cram;having an arm engageable with the handle member, to cause rocking of thecrank from an initial position when the handle member is moved manuallyfrom released position, the crank having a crank portion engageable withthe sec ond member to displace it and move the operating memher as thehandle member is moved, and means releasably to hold the manual means inthe position to which it is manually moved, said last-named meansincluding a switch adapted to be closed by the manual means, the switchhaving a resilient means acting against the crank to urge it towardinitial position, the crank being movable slightly over center withrespect to the force of the resilient means, the switch being in aparallel circuit with the coil to connect the same with a source ofpower.

7. A device of the character descri ed for operating a reciprocablemember comprising a coil, a movable arma ture wholly situated exteriorlyof the coil, an operating member adapted to be moved by the movement ofthe armature to operate the reciprocable member, manual means to operatethe reciprccable member to the same extent as said armature when thecoil is inoperative including a first member movable from 2. releasedposition adjacent the armature, a second member adapted to more theoperating member and the reciprocable member independently of thearmature, means connecting the first and second members so that when thefirst member is moved to its operating position the second member willbe moved to operate the reciprocable member, and means releasably holdinthe manual means in operated posi tion, said last named means beinadapted to be overridden by the armature when the coil is energized andthe first member is then adapted to be returned to its released positionand the second member is released.

' 8. A device of the character described for operating a reciprocablemember comprising a coil, :1 movable armature wholly situated exteriorlyof the coil, an operating member adapted to be moved by n e movement ofthe armature to operate the reciprocable member, manual means to operatethe reciprocable member to the same extent as said armature, when thecoil is inoperative including a first member movable from a releasedposition adjacent the armature, a second member engageable with theoperating member to move the same and operate the reciprocable member,means connecting the first and second members so that when the firstmember is moved to its operating position the second member will bemoved to operate the reciprocable member, and means releasably holdingthe manual means in operated position, said last named means beingadapted to be overridden by the armature when the coil is energized andthe first memher is then adapted to be returned to its released positionand the second member is released, said last-mentioned means including ashunt connection to said coil for energizing it independently of saidmanual means and means for automatically restoring the manual controlwhen said coil is energized.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS MantzApr. 28, 1936 Cyr Apr. 18, 1939 Ray Sept. 26, 1944 Ray Dec. 23, 1952Eimermann Apr. 21, 1953

